Out of the mouths of babes...or 8 year olds!

Last Tuesday, I had to go to Midland with Cactus for an AAPG meeting. Jealous, are you...just wait. The meeting is not the point. Anyway, now that Katie is driving, I don't need a "nanny" to taxi my kids around. So...I asked Cactus' secretary to arrive at our house about 10 p.m., and spend the night. She, of course, agreed as this is in her job description. She probably looks back now and wished that she had not agreed to "children" under the heading "Duties and Responsibilities."

Before Mary's arrival, my cell phone rang and it was Elle crying hysterically. She said that Katie had gotten mad at her and had sent her to her room without dinner. As a mom, I try not to take the youngest child's side. You know, they are so cute, and all. So, I asked to speak to Delaney. Delaney is the fairest, most level headed child you will ever meet. I figured that she would shot straight with me. She told me that Katie had come home with dinner and a surprise for Elle. Katie had asked Elle to stay in the other room while she showed the surprise to Delaney. Of course, as any curious, eight year old would do, she followed them. This upset Katie and she sent her to her room without dinner. I then got Katie on the phone and told her that the punishment did not meet the crime. She should have either told Elle to leave the room or not given her the surprise. I know...you are all thinking...this is what happens to me when I get on the phone with my BFF. The children appear out of nowhere and park on the couch and stare at you until you either end your conversation or yell at them to leave. This to me is not a "go to your room without dinner" crime. I also explained to Katie that just because she is the oldest and quasi in charge, she is not God.

After calming everyone down, I told all three of them that if I received a bad report from Mary, that I would put them all up for adoption and live alone with their father. I think the aspect of me living alone with their father shocked them the most. Hey...he was currently the only one not on my bad list. Well...guess what? I received a bad report. I then reminded them that the adoption was in full swing and to get ready to vacate the house. I tend to forget how literal young children can be.

Next thing I know, four mothers from Elle's school have notified me that their children have come home from school and proclaimed that Elle's parents no longer want her, she has been put up for adoption and she is moving in with them. Oi Vie! This turn of evens happened while I was in St. Louis. Elle called me and said the "Randy" was building her a bed, but that it might not be ready by Monday and that she might need to stay at "my" house a little longer until the bed is complete. I then explained to Elle that what I said was in jest and that I was not serious. I felt like she understood, since she then told me that she had bought me a lovely Mother's Day present.

After responding to the half a dozen plus e-mails regarding this incident, I am quite blessed to have many friends in my life that love my child and are willing to "adopt" her. They also all "got it", when I mentioned to them what had happened. I guess we can all remember the time growing up, that we were upset with our home life and packed a bag and moved out. It also made me realize that everyone gets upset with their children and that maybe mine aren't so bad, if almost 5 families are willing to adopt my baby...my 8 year old!

Hug your kids today! Happy Mother's Day!

Erin